Outlook: This will be a neighborhood conflict if only between rival coaches, because La Plata's Shawn Baker, who directed Havre de Grace powerhouses (two state championship teams) for eight years in the 1980s, and Wright's Steve Harward played on the same Bel Air High School team. Baker had gone to southern Maryland before Harward became head coach, so the two have not met on the field before; Baker was 8-0 against the Mustangs while in the county. This is the first playoff trip for La Plata, a Charles County school. Wright has won five straight regional crowns and reached the state 3A final in 1990. La Plata will try to counter Wright RB Jason Tharpe (22 TDs, 1,391 rushing yards) with Buster Coombs (10 TDs, 900 yards rushing). FB Emmanuel Hinton (La Plata) and Rich Juergenson (Wright) are solid blockers and runners. QB Mike Schmidt (Wright) and QB D'Angelo Hemsley (La Plata) are two-year starters with good arms. Wright has an edge in outscoring foes (29-6 against 25-12), but La Plata might be able to thwart the home team with size.

Kent County (9-1) at Joppatowne (7-3)

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Outlook: These two appear fairly evenly matched. Each has speed at TB, Kent from Ralph Cruz, who averages 100 rushing yards a game, and Joppatowne from Andre Turner. Turner, spectacular on defense (106 tackles and a county-high eight interceptions) and special teams (six kicks returned for touchdowns -- five official and one called back), has been installed at tailback after former starter Alonzo McDowell moved to quarterback. This move was necessitated when regular Matt Berger had his collarbone broken at C. Milton Wright two weeks ago. Turner and LB Cable Miller (113 tackles) are among the defensive leaders. Turner, DB McDowell, and DB Chris Shape have combined for 15 interceptions. QB Eric Collyer missed two of Kent's past three games, returning in the second half against Easton (a 29-6 loss) last week. Behind him, junior running backs Dante Ward and Melvin Morton provide speed. WR Darius Waits (6-8, 225) led the Eastern Shore in receptions and touchdown receptions. The defensive leaders are linemen Jeron Jeffers (6-7, 275) and John Hyland (6-3, 255).